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Noam Chomsky: What Next?
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Chomsky talks about the latest US election, the economy, Obama, and democracy in general. Courtesy of Democracy Now!
Nov 29, 2008 4:13 AM
Re: Noam Chomsky: What Next?
Thank you Mr Chomsky...again, you make me feel very depressed! I better order some chicken wings and pizza, and pick my nose while I am waiting for the delivery!
By: flopnik
Re: Noam Chomsky: What Next?
Just have your bags packed and your passport ready. Hopefully you have skills that are marketable in a country besides the US if and when it goes under, or when the government finally decides to drop the act and rule as a corporatocracy outright.
By: boyblunders
Re: Noam Chomsky: What Next?
I think Floppy could become a professional writer. He has an offbeat sense of humor and a strange background that involves genocide and Turbo-Folk. A winning combination, if you ask me. I'm willing to collaborate on a story if he does the first draft. Put in some bears, too, and lots of sex, or he could leave that up to me. As long as there's something of a plot. I still have to work on my plotting skills. Normally, I start a story and end up in one hell of a complicated situation that manages to be so dense even I can't figure out what's happening.
Re: Noam Chomsky: What Next?
Hey, even my best friends have limited tolerance for my long e-mails and posts!
Plot: Two dudes meet over the net and start writing a story about two imaginary characters that meet over the net and start writing a story. The characters end up in very controversial scenarios, as they are pushed over the fine line of political correctness and decency. They visit places such as war zones, slave markets, polar stations and airports. Initially process is really slow, but as the story updates become more frequent, site’s traffic s increases and the whole thing reaches global recognition.
The two (that write about the two characters) become celebrities, appearing on Larry King Live, Saturday Night Live, Daily Show, etc. As the story becomes more and more controversial, it starts causing military conflicts, religious wars, market crashes and other cataclysmic events...
Plot: Two dudes meet over the net and start writing a story about two imaginary characters that meet over the net and start writing a story. The characters end up in very controversial scenarios, as they are pushed over the fine line of political correctness and decency. They visit places such as war zones, slave markets, polar stations and airports. Initially process is really slow, but as the story updates become more frequent, site’s traffic s increases and the whole thing reaches global recognition.
The two (that write about the two characters) become celebrities, appearing on Larry King Live, Saturday Night Live, Daily Show, etc. As the story becomes more and more controversial, it starts causing military conflicts, religious wars, market crashes and other cataclysmic events...
By: flopnik
Re: Noam Chomsky: What Next?
I'm about to go sleep, but I've got time to write one more comment:
How does the story end? No, don't tell me. I'll think of something. Maybe the Second Coming of Christ, or Doomsday, or interplanetary travel to the far, far, faaaaaarrrrrr galaxies at the edge of time ... *snores*
How does the story end? No, don't tell me. I'll think of something. Maybe the Second Coming of Christ, or Doomsday, or interplanetary travel to the far, far, faaaaaarrrrrr galaxies at the edge of time ... *snores*
Re: Noam Chomsky: What Next?
Hmmmm...let’s say we both end up being killed by dominatrix from Romania
By: flopnik
Re: Noam Chomsky: What Next?
... and three days later rise from the dead to get back for more. Let's take turns.
Anyway, this is going to turn out into a novel. Anyone can see that.
Anyway, this is going to turn out into a novel. Anyone can see that.
Re: Noam Chomsky: What Next?
As much as I agree with Chomsky's criticisms of economic neo-liberalism, and appreciate skepticism as a healthy mechanism in a democracy, I would take his comments here with a grain of salt. After all, he did predict this year that McCain would win the presidential election, because racist attitudes in America yadda yadda yadda.
Now that his pessimistic prognostication has been thoroughly deflated, here he comes again with some more rationalized cynicism that keeps shifting, belatedly and predictably reacting with a never changing outlook every step of the way.
Case in point, I paraphrase: "Obama's Army is what you would expect from a population comfortable with dictatorship". Gimme a break, please, that's an attitude I would expect from Fox News, neatly ignoring the shouts of "muslim" and "kill him" at McCain-Pallin rallies.
Instead, how about stating that the country is looking for leadership, and Obama's cool attitude in the face of adversity, as well as his clean, dignified and incredibly well-organized and focused campaign, has proven that he's worthy of the benefit of a doubt, at least until he enters office and probably a little bit beyond.
Another point that I paraphrase: "You would have expected this election to be won by the opposition party by a landslide, and that was not the case".
Instead, how about recognizing that there is a deep cultural divide within the country, where irrational and faith-based worldviews drives a massive electoral block. Despite this, as well as concerted republican efforts to purge voting rolls and the presence of Diebold/Sequoia voting machines, any attempt at electoral fraud was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of voter turnout, and historical red states have turned blue. In this context, absolutely the electoral results are the contemporary equivalent of a landslide.
I never thought I'd say this, but Mr Chomsky, this time around your tinfoil hat is evidently showing.
Now that his pessimistic prognostication has been thoroughly deflated, here he comes again with some more rationalized cynicism that keeps shifting, belatedly and predictably reacting with a never changing outlook every step of the way.
Case in point, I paraphrase: "Obama's Army is what you would expect from a population comfortable with dictatorship". Gimme a break, please, that's an attitude I would expect from Fox News, neatly ignoring the shouts of "muslim" and "kill him" at McCain-Pallin rallies.
Instead, how about stating that the country is looking for leadership, and Obama's cool attitude in the face of adversity, as well as his clean, dignified and incredibly well-organized and focused campaign, has proven that he's worthy of the benefit of a doubt, at least until he enters office and probably a little bit beyond.
Another point that I paraphrase: "You would have expected this election to be won by the opposition party by a landslide, and that was not the case".
Instead, how about recognizing that there is a deep cultural divide within the country, where irrational and faith-based worldviews drives a massive electoral block. Despite this, as well as concerted republican efforts to purge voting rolls and the presence of Diebold/Sequoia voting machines, any attempt at electoral fraud was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of voter turnout, and historical red states have turned blue. In this context, absolutely the electoral results are the contemporary equivalent of a landslide.
I never thought I'd say this, but Mr Chomsky, this time around your tinfoil hat is evidently showing.
Re: Noam Chomsky: What Next?
Well, Chomsky is at least consistent about his view of current state of democracy. Set aside his predictions, everything else he said hasn’t changed.
Let’s take for instance SNL or Daily Show. It will be bit more difficult to write political sketches now, but if they want to stay in business...
Same with Chomsky and his own domain.
I mean, it’s OK to criticize political state. If you think it is wrong...you are actually closer to dictatorship than you think...even if your intentions are good.
Let’s take for instance SNL or Daily Show. It will be bit more difficult to write political sketches now, but if they want to stay in business...
Same with Chomsky and his own domain.
I mean, it’s OK to criticize political state. If you think it is wrong...you are actually closer to dictatorship than you think...even if your intentions are good.
By: flopnik
Re: Noam Chomsky: What Next?
I think you're really missing the point here. He's not shifting, yes he was wrong with his presidential prediction, but what you have to understand is he is not a conspiracy theorist. He compiles immense amounts of data and interprets it.
Obama won because of marketing. That's how America works, That's why shitty musicians are top sellers, shitty beer is americans #1 etc... and now a Canadiate that has nothing to say about the growing poor class is president.
It stands to reason that whatever candidate has more marketing power behind him or her will succeed. This is actually very much in line with Chomsky's writings of the past 30 years, about media manipulation and marekting, and McCains failure despite deep seeded racism only proves Chomsky's more established theories OVER his incorrect prediction.
Obama won because of marketing. That's how America works, That's why shitty musicians are top sellers, shitty beer is americans #1 etc... and now a Canadiate that has nothing to say about the growing poor class is president.
It stands to reason that whatever candidate has more marketing power behind him or her will succeed. This is actually very much in line with Chomsky's writings of the past 30 years, about media manipulation and marekting, and McCains failure despite deep seeded racism only proves Chomsky's more established theories OVER his incorrect prediction.
Re: Noam Chomsky: What Next?
I agree with everything Chomsky says in this speech, excluding possibly his prediction that McCain would take the presidency. Even there, however, I'm willing to say that wasn't such a wild idea. If the economic (banking) crisis hadn't broken out just then when it did, McCain might perhaps not have knocked himself out in such a hilarious way. Remember that at that time, Obama was sliding, in effect losing his perceived worthiness in the eyes of many. Besides, I'm far less inclined to think than Americans themselves that the American populace knows what is right. Actually, I was still taken aback by the sheer amount of McCain and/or Palin voters at November 4th. I don't see a landslide, according to my standards. What I saw was, relatively speaking, a handful of wise Americans voting third party, and the others are all either idiots, delusional, or voted tactically, which is like choosing the Death of a Thousand Cuts over a herd of stampeding wildebeests trampling you into the dirt.
I sincerely hope you will wake up one of these days. I wonder how much shit Obama has to throw in your face for you to say "Wait a minute." Here's one more for you: Obama selected Mrs. Clinton. No doubt you already know. Now, take it from me that Mrs. Clinton is one of the most sickening pieces of crap that roam over this planet. Will you now clutch at straws to mitigate this blow to you? Will you find it hard to come up with reasons why, why, why? Perhaps many Germans did likewise when Hitler chose Himmler to be in his staff. "Ach so, warum? Nein, das kannst doch nicht wahr sein? Mein Gott! Es ist heller Wahnsinn."
(It's a good thing I'm not an American running for office; 99% of the population over there would listen to the above comment and go like "Holy friggin' Mother of Jesus, he just did like compare Obama to, like, Hitler! What is 'tis great nation comin' to? Racists like Nader are like allowed to run for office and crazy animals that, like can talk, are like basically fascists. Oh, my! Please take my rights now. Please lock me up in a FEMA Camp and like throw away the key. Help! Help! UN, please come help us great free nation.")
It's noteworthy to consider that Mrs. Clinton, that criminal mind, likes to bomb brown people to smithereens, but has such great plans for "this country." Plans such as universal healthcare. Okay, Mrs. Clinton, give me the +++AAA coverage option. You know, the one that insures me from collapsing skyscrapers, nuclear fallout, religious fanatics, skin-eating bacteria, global warming, and yourself. My family back at Mars and Alpha Centauri would also like your healthcare plan. Do you have some flyers? I'll take care of the stamps myself. Thanks.
I sincerely hope you will wake up one of these days. I wonder how much shit Obama has to throw in your face for you to say "Wait a minute." Here's one more for you: Obama selected Mrs. Clinton. No doubt you already know. Now, take it from me that Mrs. Clinton is one of the most sickening pieces of crap that roam over this planet. Will you now clutch at straws to mitigate this blow to you? Will you find it hard to come up with reasons why, why, why? Perhaps many Germans did likewise when Hitler chose Himmler to be in his staff. "Ach so, warum? Nein, das kannst doch nicht wahr sein? Mein Gott! Es ist heller Wahnsinn."
(It's a good thing I'm not an American running for office; 99% of the population over there would listen to the above comment and go like "Holy friggin' Mother of Jesus, he just did like compare Obama to, like, Hitler! What is 'tis great nation comin' to? Racists like Nader are like allowed to run for office and crazy animals that, like can talk, are like basically fascists. Oh, my! Please take my rights now. Please lock me up in a FEMA Camp and like throw away the key. Help! Help! UN, please come help us great free nation.")
It's noteworthy to consider that Mrs. Clinton, that criminal mind, likes to bomb brown people to smithereens, but has such great plans for "this country." Plans such as universal healthcare. Okay, Mrs. Clinton, give me the +++AAA coverage option. You know, the one that insures me from collapsing skyscrapers, nuclear fallout, religious fanatics, skin-eating bacteria, global warming, and yourself. My family back at Mars and Alpha Centauri would also like your healthcare plan. Do you have some flyers? I'll take care of the stamps myself. Thanks.
Re: Noam Chomsky: What Next?
As usual, anyone who disagrees with the current administration will be prosecuted and tagged a radical. Obama fan bois are no different than those who suck the republicans dingleberrie's. Obama pushed the 700 billion bailout thru, but no one cared, Obama voted for the FICE act this summer, but no one cared.
All of you who think Obama is the cure, you are as bad as Bush supporters. In some ways worse, even most Bush supporters would say oh, yeah, THAT was bad decision, but he watched Walker Texas Ranger so I will stick with him.
Face it, if you know what's goin on, you are a dissenter, and now, you have a god like figure of a minority with Golden tongue to salve all the idiots who were ACTUALLY just going along with us who know because they had no other solutions at the time. Chomsky presents facts, Obama believers go OH NO GIVE HIM TIME. Like... four years... or eight years. Give him the freedom to appoint all his lobbyist buddies, give him the ability to continue to appoint financiers and bankers to the offices he can. Never mind Chomsky was right 95% OF THE TIME, he predicted the wrong president and can never be right again.
When his time is up, it will be as Noam says, his right wing for the money politics will show his record clearly, and his time in office will be whats it was supposed to be, a continuation of current policy against the poor and the ones who have a little left.
And just like Clinton, everyone will talk about how great it was as we got screwed over and over and over. Was Bush better, could Palin have been the one? NO, it is not a just society, unless you have just enough to buy a politician.
No matter what any of us who really study the problem say, we will be wrong, until, just like all the other times, we are right. Argueing with Obama supporters over how we are still getting screwed will be a waste of our time. I really only am posting this to let you others out there who are going "OH HOLY CRAP HE APPOINTED WHO? HE VOTED FOR WHAT?" to not waste your time arguing with those who worship the other side of the ass of american politics. Make your observations, and just like all the pile of crap Bush supporters would post after you made observations, point out things like the inability to spell, because you will never get through that thick wall of conceit they have built for themselves... (Oh I voted for Obama, so he must be right...)
All of you who think Obama is the cure, you are as bad as Bush supporters. In some ways worse, even most Bush supporters would say oh, yeah, THAT was bad decision, but he watched Walker Texas Ranger so I will stick with him.
Face it, if you know what's goin on, you are a dissenter, and now, you have a god like figure of a minority with Golden tongue to salve all the idiots who were ACTUALLY just going along with us who know because they had no other solutions at the time. Chomsky presents facts, Obama believers go OH NO GIVE HIM TIME. Like... four years... or eight years. Give him the freedom to appoint all his lobbyist buddies, give him the ability to continue to appoint financiers and bankers to the offices he can. Never mind Chomsky was right 95% OF THE TIME, he predicted the wrong president and can never be right again.
When his time is up, it will be as Noam says, his right wing for the money politics will show his record clearly, and his time in office will be whats it was supposed to be, a continuation of current policy against the poor and the ones who have a little left.
And just like Clinton, everyone will talk about how great it was as we got screwed over and over and over. Was Bush better, could Palin have been the one? NO, it is not a just society, unless you have just enough to buy a politician.
No matter what any of us who really study the problem say, we will be wrong, until, just like all the other times, we are right. Argueing with Obama supporters over how we are still getting screwed will be a waste of our time. I really only am posting this to let you others out there who are going "OH HOLY CRAP HE APPOINTED WHO? HE VOTED FOR WHAT?" to not waste your time arguing with those who worship the other side of the ass of american politics. Make your observations, and just like all the pile of crap Bush supporters would post after you made observations, point out things like the inability to spell, because you will never get through that thick wall of conceit they have built for themselves... (Oh I voted for Obama, so he must be right...)
By: pieboldstallion
